For Release: Immediate 
Date: June 29, 2000
Contact:  F/Sgt. Jeff Winstead
Phone:  (919) 733-5027 (ext. 238)
"STUDENT TROOPERS" GRADUATE FROM AMERICAN LEGION PROGRAM

RALEIGH - Seventeen high school students from across North Carolina were graduated Friday, June 29, 2001, from the Eighth Annual North Carolina American Legion Student Trooper Program. They were sworn in at a ceremony at the Highway Patrol Training Center in Raleigh.

"These young people are getting a taste of what it takes to be in law enforcement or criminal justice careers," said Frank Stancil of the American Legion Student Trooper Program. "We also hope they learn to better appreciate how fortunate they are to live in a great country like the United States of America."

The weeklong program was created to foster understanding between young people and law enforcement officers. The students learned about the criminal justice system and participated in physical training while living at the Training Center. They also received instruction on first aid, speed monitoring, drunk and drugged driving enforcement and prevention, firearm safety, precision driving, and accident investigation.

The Student Trooper Program staff is composed of members of the American Legion and the Highway Patrol Training Center staff. This year two of the junior councilors were past graduates of the Student Trooper program.

To qualify for admission to the program, rising seniors must be of good moral character and demonstrate qualities of patriotism and leadership. Any American Legion Post in North Carolina may sponsor a student by raising the $160 tuition fee and assuming responsibility for attendance and transportation.

Please see below for a list of graduates, their hometowns and high schools, and their sponsoring American Legion Post.


Eighth Annual Student Trooper Program Graduates
Name Hometown High School American Legion Post
Norman Silance Maple Hill Dixon High School 265
David Wilhoit China Grove South Rowan High School 185
Ashley Osborne China Grove South Rowan High School 185
Aaron Russ Bladenboro Bladenboro High School 380
Heber Aldridge Kinston South Lenoir High School 379
James Williams Kinston South Lenior High School 504
Jonathan Eubanks Dover Bethel Christian Academy 43
Kenneth Wiseman Dunn Triton High School 59
Brandon Norris Newport Croatan High School 46
Mary Cable Greenville J. H. Rose High School 39
Chester Palumbo Durham Jordan High School 67

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